BrusselsCapital
Belgium · Country profile
Brussels is the flat, bureaucratic, gloriously odd capital of Belgium and of Europe, a city of art nouveau facades, comic strips and an extraordinary medieval square that is also the finest in the world. The Grand-Place crowds its gilded guild houses around the great market square, and the narrow streets around it run with chocolate shops, waffle stands and the bars of the dense old centre. The city spreads green parks and wide avenues through the European quarter, and its museums hold the Flemish masters and the modern era alike. It is a city of the surreal and the silly, of beer, fries and the small, serious pleasures of living well.
About Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium. The city's documented population is around 1,222,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Euro (EUR) and Dutch, French and German are spoken; the dialling code is +32. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Brussels Airport.
The Grand Place, the Comic Strip and the Flat City of the Plains
Brussels is a walkable city of manageable size, and its heart is the medieval Grand-Place, a square of such polished beauty that it stops every visitor on arrival. Around it sit the chocolate shops, the beer bars, the comic-strip murals and the museums, and beyond them the green parks and the grand avenues of the modern city. It is a city of the institutions of Europe and of the small pleasures of Belgium, from the golden beer to the crispy chips. Touristy but friendly, formal in its bureaucracy and informal in its street life, Brussels is a gentle, cultured capital that rewards a slow wander.
Chocolate, Waffles and the Light Show of the Winter
The festivals of winter, the light show of the Grand-Place and the ice rink, make December magical, and the summer is pleasant and lively; the weather is famously moderate and damp, so pack layers and a light coat. The museums, especially the comics museum and the Magritte, book ahead at the weekends. The city is flat and walkable, and the metro and the trams reach the outer parks and the European quarter. Cards work everywhere and tipping is minimal — the prices already include the service. The beer lists are enormous, so ask for a recommendation rather than guessing, and the chips deserve the good sauces.
Museums, Beers and the Avenues of the European Quarter
The city is made for walking: the Old Town, the parks and the museums sit close, and the trams of the main boulevards fill the longer gaps. The Manneken-Pis is tiny and always crowded, and a better display of the city’s wit is the comic-strip trail of the painted walls. The chocolate, the pralines and the waffles of the old town are the souvenirs, and the authentic chips come with the big cone of the sauces. The beer scene is a national art form, with styles from the fruity lambic to the strong blondes. The city closes early on Mondays in the smaller quarters, so check the hours before planning the day.
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- Country
- Belgium
- Population
- 1,222,000
- Coordinates
- 50.9014, 4.4844
- Capital
- Brussels
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Dutch, French, German
- Calling code
- +32
- Country code
- BE
Entry requirements for Belgium
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Belgium for tourism.
Getting to Brussels
Airports we list for Brussels:
Frequently asked questions
Is Brussels the capital of Belgium?
Yes — Brussels is the capital of Belgium.
What currency do I need in Brussels?
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Languages spoken in Belgium include Dutch, French and German.
What is the dialling code for Belgium?
The international dialling code for Belgium is +32.
Which airport should I fly into for Brussels?
Brussels Airport (BRU) is the airport we list for Brussels.
Do I need a visa to visit Belgium?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Belgium visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Brussels? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.